The Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission have expressed their concerned after it was announced that the general elections have been rescheduled. While announcing the postponement in Abuja, the commissioners, who were ion high spirit, and hoping that all necessary machinery would be in place to mobilize and facilitate the electoral process evidently shows worry and sense of remorse.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, announced the decision at a short press briefing at 2:44 am on Saturday morning.
He said, “Following a careful review of the implementation of its logistics and operational plan, and the determination to conduct free, fair, and credible elections, the commission came to the conclusion that proceeding with the elections as scheduled is no longer feasible.
“Consequently, the commission has decided to reschedule the Presidential and National Assembly elections to Saturday, 23 February 2019.
“Furthermore, the Governorship, State House of Assembly, and Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections are rescheduled to Saturday, 9 March, 2019.”
According to the INEC boss, the postponement will afford the commission the opportunity to address identified challenges in order to maintain the quality of the nation’s elections.
“This was a difficult decision for the commission to take but necessary for the successful delivery of the elections and the consolidation of our democracy,” he added.
